Fuel burning space heater



Aug. 30, 1955 Filed Jan. 19, 1952 W. N. NELSON FUEL BURNING SPACE HEATER zw/awz 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

g- 30, 1955 w. N. NELSON FUEL BURNING. SPACE HEATER 3 Sheets-Sheet (5 Filed Jan. 19, 1952 INVENTOR. 2/17/25 27. 222%0/2 nited States Fatent O 4 ice 2,716,405 EUEL BURNING SPACE HEATER Willis N. Nelson, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., assignor to Preway Inca, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 19, 1952, Serial No. 267,221

6 Claims. (Cl. 126-93) This invention relates toa space heater which is designed primarily for effective performance. It may be used with advantage in shops and other places where it is desired to provide a source of heat for the surrounding room.

The objects of this invention are to provide such a heater which will be economical to manufacture,'and also to assemble and to service. In addition, the present heater embodies numerous features of constructional improvement which contribute to lightness in weight while retaining strength and durability. These purposes as well as others which will hereinafter appear are realized from a construction which embodies my invention, an embodiment whereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in the manner following:

Figure l is a perspective view of the space heater looking toward one side and toward the front thereof;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the heater;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the heater, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail in vertical section, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail in vertical section, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section, taken on line 66 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a detail in section, taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section, taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 9 is a detail in section, taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

As herein shown, there is provided for the presentspace heater a rectangular base A from one side of which upstands a rack B. The exposed portion of the base is desirably made of sheet metal with vertical sides 10 which are cross-connected by channel irons 11 having end walls 12. These channel irons are extended crosswise of the base, near the front and rear sides thereof, to provide a needed reinforcement therefor, and intermediately of their ends the channel irons 11 are interconnected by a channel brace 13 (see Fig. 6). These several parts are desirably joined to each other as by welding. Corner angles 14 each mounting a threaded sleeve 15 for an adjustable foot, are also secured, as by welding, to the base sides 10.

The rack B comprises a pair of spaced vertical end walls 16 each flanged at 17 across its'top and along its vertical edges. The two walls are arranged at opposite ends of the rack with the flanges thereof extending inwardly. A sheet metal connecting wall 18 which is fitted inside one set of vertical flanges is provided along its opposite vertical edges with flanges 19 extending toward a second connecting wall 21 also formed with flanges 22. As by bolts 24 which are extended through the flanges 22 and walls 16, the inner connecting wall 21 is secured fixedly in place. Other bolts 23 are extended through the flanges 19 of the connecting wall 18 and end walls 16 to fixedly secure one to the other (see Fig.

2,7 16,405 Patented Aug. 30, 1955 8 The walls 16 depend down along the outer faces of the base sides 10 to which they are joined by bolts 25 which extend through the corner angles 14.

A pair of vertically spaced upper and lower channeled bars 26 and 27 is extended crosswise of the rack and each is flanged inwardly at 28 at its opposite ends to receive the bolts 24. In this way the same bolts which secure the inner rack wall 21 in place also serve to anchor the two channel bars in fixed positions. In addition, other bolts 29 interconnect the inner wall 21 with the upper bar 26 intermediately of its ends. The upper bar 26 serves as a mounting for a tank T whose top 30 (see Fig. 9) is disposed below the upper end portion of its body walls 31. One or more of the bolts 29 are also extended through the body wall 31 of the tank above its top to pass through a U-shaped spacer 32 which is thereby secured in place between the top channel bar 26 and the inner rack wall 21. By the means described, I provide for the tank a fixed support that is both light and compact. Adjacent the tank bottom a bracket arm 33 is extended outwardly from the proximate channel bar 27 (see Fig. 9) to receive therethrough an outlet 34 that depends from its bottom to join with a coupling 35 at the upper end of a fuel conduit 36 leading to a conventional regulating valve V which is supported on a bracket arm 37 that is rested on the top of the base A and extended outwardly therebeyond.

It will be noted that the outer connecting wall 18 extends for substantially the full length of the rack B. Theinner rack'wall 21, however, extends for only slightly more than the vertical height of the tank so that its bottom edge terminates well above the base A. Air is free to pass under the inner wall 21 to circulate upwardly between the two Walls of the rack and out through the space at the top. This is desirable so as to provide an effective insulation by which heat from the heating unit (shortly to be described) will not be transmitted to the tank.

The heating unit may be conventional to the extent of comprising a cylindrical drum D having a top closure 39 from which depends a sleeve 40 which constitutes an economiz'er. In the lower portion of thedrum is suspended a pot P constituting the burner proper. The pot bottom 41 is provided with a radial channel 42 to which liquid fuel is conducted through a conduit 43 which is in connection with the regulating valve V. The walls of the burner contain'the usual primary and secondary air inlet openings for support of combustion of the vaporized fuel therewithin. A baffle ring 45 is carried at the top of the burner pot P, and thereabove the drum D is provided with a lateral opening normally closed by a door 46 that is carried on a suitable hinge fitting 47. The side of the drum whereon the door is located may be regarded as the front of the heater. A large lateral opening 50 in theeconomizer permits products of combustion to pass into the space exteriorly thereof from whence they are educted through a collar 51 in connection with a flue (not shown).

The heating drum D is provided with an annular bottom 55 formed with a depending flange 56 and with a cen' tral aperture 57 through which air may enter to circulate through the space surrounding the pot P and pass through the inlet openings thereof to support combustion of the fuel. The heating drum is maintained slightly elevated abovethe base so as to leave below its bottom 55 a space through which air may move inwardly toward and through the'opening 57 just described. The heating drum is carried on feet 58 (see Fig. 5) depending from the flange 56 adjacent the outer periphery of the bottom 55, and each foot is outturned at 59 to rest flatwise upon the base A at a point which is directly above one of the channel irons 11. .A bolt 60passes through each foot and the base and secure each foot fixedly in position. Four such feet are shown, and between them are very substantially arcuate spaces through Which the air may freely pass.

At the point where each foot 58 depends from the downturned fiange 56 of the drum bottom 55, there is an outwardly disposed circumferential shoulder 63 which underlies the vertically extending circular walls of the drum D in supporting engagement therewith. The outer face of each foot 58 is thereby disposed substantially flush with the corresponding face of the heating drum (see Fig. A vertically disposed leg 65 is fitted against the outer face of each foot 58 to engage the drum D in its lower end portion. At its lower end this leg is laterally turned at 66 where it rests upon the proximate foot 58. Each leg is also apertured to receive therethrough the same bolt which fastens the foot 58 to the base. Additionally, a bolt 67 traverses the leg and also the wall of the heating drum, thereby to secure the leg fixedly in a vertical position.

In its upper portion, the leg is outwardly inclined at 70 away from the drum and then continued upwardly through a vertical section 71. Four such legs are provided, one for each of the feet, and each in its upper portion is outwardly spaced from the drum as best shown in Fig. 5.

Surrounding the drum D in spaced relation thereto is a shell S. This shell extends from a point slightly above the top closure 39 of the drum downwardly for the major portion of the drum height. Each of the arm sections 71 is disposed to the inside of the shell in its lower portion, and is connected thereto by a bolt 75 which passes therethrough. It will be noted that, by the means described, the shell is supported off of the base A by a plurality of legs each of which is joined to one of the feet which supports the bottom of the heating drum at a point directly above one of the reinforcing channel irons 11 on the underside of the base top. As previously noted, two such interconnected channel iron reinforcements are provided, and over each, near one end thereof, is disposed one of the feet 58 together with the bolts 60 which connect these feet and also the legs 65 to the base.

The shell S which is spaced from the heating drum at all points provides a protection to persons close by. The means described also provides for supporting the shell in an elevated position above the base, and also for maintaining the shell in centered relation to-the heating drum. At the top of the shell further means is provided for maintaining the shell and heating drum in concentric relation. As best shown in Fig. 4, this comprises a plurality of links 78 which are horizontally extended inwardly from the shell S at a point near its top where a circular reinforcing band 79 is fitted in place. A lip 80 which is in turned from the top edge of the band overlies the top edge of the shell. Each link is upwardly turned at 82 to engage the inner face of the shell and is also apertured in register with a similar aperture in the shell so that a bolt 83 which is extended therethrough may lock the link fixedly to the shell. The inner end of the link engages the top closure 39 of the heating drum at a point just inwardly of the economizer 4t), and a bolt 84 is extended through registering apertures in each link and the top closure, and also through an angle bracket 85 that is welded or otherwise afiixed to the inner face of the economizer, whereby to fixedly interconnect these several parts. As a result, the economizer is suspended within the heating drum, centrally thereof, with its top end in engagement with the top closure 39 of the drum, and the drum and shell are connected together in concentric relation so as to maintain a uniform spacing between them. The bolt 83 which joins each link with the shell also passes through the band r 79 whose lip 80 overlies each upwardly turned link end 82 and also a nut 86 which is afiixed to each bolt 83.

The shell is desirably of foraminous character with a multitude of openings 88, circular or otherwise, which are closely spaced to provide a very substantially aggregate area through which heat from the drum may pass freely outwardly through and beyond the shell. A pair of braces 90 extend from the shell to connect with the rack B. For this purpose, openings are provided near opposite ends of the two braces with two of the bolts 83 passing therethrough to connect them fixedlywith the shell. The opposite ends of the braces are traversed by the uppermost bolts 23 which interconnect the outer rack wall 18 with its end walls 16. The braces act to stabilize the rack which otherwise would be without support in its upper region.

Across the top of the heater is a grille which may comprise a plurality of parallel rods each having two opposite ends rested upon the inturned lip 80 of the band 79. These rods are fixedly secured as by welding. A ring 96 is connected to the underside of two of the rods 95 at points near their centers (see Fig. 2), and is also supported therehetween from the inner ends of other rods which terminate at the ring. Welding connections may be provided at these several places to interconnect the grille rods and ring into a rigid structure. It is designed for support of a pan which may be rested either on the grille, or, if small enough, to be fitted into the smaller space within the ring 96 to rest directly upon the top closure of the heating drum.

The several units which are assembled into the space heater of this invention are interconnected strongly and firmly to withstand rigorous use. The structure is unusually light and compact, yet with adequate provision for protecting the fuel tank which is supported on the rack. This protection includes an air space between the two connecting walls which are extended continuously, without interruption, between the tank and heater. It also includes the end walls 16 which extend partly around the ends of the tank. At the top of the tank a gauge 97 is shown and also a filter opening 98 and a fuel valve control 99.

I claim:

1. In a space heater of the kind described, the combination of an upstanding heating drum, a shell surrounding the heating drum in spaced relation thereto, a base below the heating drum, feet depending from the heating drum to the base to support the heating drum in spaced relation to the base, legs extending upwardly from the base in fixed connection with the shell to support the same in spaced relation to the base, a common means extending through and anchoring said feet and legs to the base, and means interconnecting the drum and shell in their upper end portions to maintain a fixed distance of separation therebetween.

2. In a space heater of the kind described, the combination of a base, a heating drum supported on the base, a shell supported on the base and surrounding the heating drum in spaced relation thereto, a reinforcing band fitted around the top of the shell, means interconnecting the shell and drum to maintain a fixed distance of separation therebetween, a rack fixed to and upstanding from a side of the base, said rack lying adjacent and in spaced relation to the shell at one side thereof, said rack having spaced walls forming a heat-insulating airspace therebetween, a fuel tank supported by the rack on the side thereof removed from the shell and having a conduit in connection with the heating drum for gravity feed of liquid fuel thereto, and brace means extending between the upper ends of the rack and shell and connected to each and the reinforcing band for mutual support thereof and of the drum interiorly of the shell.

3. In a space heater of the kind described, the combination of a base, a cylindrical heating drum supported on the base, a cylindrical shell supported on the base and surrounding the heating drum in spaced relation thereto, a circular reinforcing band fitted around the top of the shell, means interconnecting the shell and drum to maintain a fixed distance of separation therebetween, a rack fixed to and upstanding from one side of the base and comprising two walls spaced from each other and from the shell, means interconnecting the two rack walls in fixed spaced relation to each other, a fuel tank supported by the rack adjacent the wall furthest removed from the shell and upon the face thereof and having a conduit in connection with the heating drum for gravity feed of liquid fuel thereto, brace means extending away from the top of the shell and connected to the shell, the reinforcing band and the means interconnecting the shell with the heating drum, and fastening elements connecting the brace means also with the top of one wall of the rack thereby to provide mutual support therefor and for the shell as well as the drum interiorly thereof.

4. In a space heater of the kind described, the combination of a base, a heating unit comprising an upstanding cylindrical drum, a partial closure for the bottom end of the drum in underlying relation thereto and in supporting engagement therewith, the bottom closure being in the form of an annular plate, legs integral with the closure plate and depending from its periphery to rest upon the base thereby to afford an elevated support for the closure plate and for the drum thereupon, a cylindrical shell surrounding the drum in spaced relation thereto and extending downwardly from a point close to the upper end of the drum for the major portion of its height, legs affixed to the shell at its lower end portion and depending therefrom both inwardly into engagement with the drum to space the lower ends of the drum and shell and downwardly to rest upon the base thereby to support the shell at a fixed elevation thereabove and at a fixed distance away from the drum, means for fastening said legs to the base, and means interconnecting the shell and drum in their upper end portions to maintain at that point a fixed distance of separation therebetween.

5. In a space heater of the kind described, the combination of a base, a closed-top heating drum supported on the base, a shell supported on the base and surrounding the drum in spaced relation thereto, means .interconnecting the shell and drum to maintain a fixed distance of separation therebetween comprising a plurality of radially disposed links each aflixed at its outer end to the shell and at its inner end resting upon the drum top, a fuel economizer in the form of a sleeve suspended vertically within the drum and having fastening means thereon, and fastening elements traversing the inner end of each link, the drum top and the economizer fastening means for interconnection thereof in unitary relation.

6. In a space heater of the kind described, in combination, a base, a foot-supported heating drum thereon and, adjacent thereto, a tank-supporting rack having end walls lapping opposite sides of the base, the base comprising a sheet metal top with depending sides, reinforcing means extending between two opposite sides of the base and secured thereto in supporting engagement with the top thereof, means interconnecting the drum feet, base top, and reinforcing means therefor, thereby to fix the position of the heating drum thereon and distribute the load thereof for the full distance between opposite sides of the base, feet-supporting corner brackets fitted within the base, each at one corner thereof and in fixed connection with two of its sides, and means interconnecting the rack end walls with the base sides and corner brackets proximate thereto whereby to fix the position of the rack upon the base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,232,457 Campbell July 3, 1917 1,644,900 Sperry Oct. 11, 1927 1,655,658 Nauer Jan. 10, 1928 1,659,694 Lehman Feb. 21, 1928 1,738,297 Hoffman Dec. 3, 1929 1,741,297 Herrenbruck Dec. 31, 1929 1,892,761 Celander Jan. 3, 1933 1,944,593 Chadwick et a1. Jan. 23, 1934 2,026,340 Bradbury Dec. 31, 1935 2,311,570 Pyle Feb. 16, 1943 2,363,185 Jones et al Nov. 21, 1944 2,540,877 Harvey Feb. 6, 1951 

